Leigh, Elizabeth “Bess” (nee McFarlane)

Elizabeth (Bess) passed away peacefully in the Shuswap Lake General Hospital, after suffering complications from a broken hip. She was born in Paisley, Scotland and had three sisters (Jean, Peggy, and Isobel) and three brothers (Dan, Dave, and Robert). Bess was fortunate to have been very healthy all her life, and, with her positive outlook, was looking forward to many years ahead. Her doctors always told her she would live to be 100, and she was going to prove them right.

In 1955, she and her husband and two sons emigrated to Canada from Newcastle, England. Bess lived in Cambridge until 2012 when she moved to Blind Bay, BC, to live with her son (Douglas) and daughter-in-law (Carmen). On May 3, 2014 she moved in to Piccadilly Square Retirement Residence in Salmon Arm, BC, so that she could enjoy more independence, and make new friends. She was thrilled with her new little one bedroom apartment. Following the death of her husband in 1975, she had lived alone in her own apartment for more than 40 years, and had many friends. She never remarried, as she told us that Thomas was the love of her life. Unfortunately, only three days after moving in to Piccadilly Square, she fell and broke her left hip. Several days later, after hip surgery, she passed away.

During the Second World War, she worked for a company that manufactured Corvette boats for the British Navy. In Cambridge, she worked at Scott Shoe, Collier-MacMillan Book Publishing Company, and Union Gas as a bookkeeper. Bess is predeceased by her husband, Thomas, her grandson, Tom, and all of her brothers and sisters, with the exception of one sister (Isobel) who lives in Scotland. She is survived by her two sons, Robert and Douglas, her granddaughter, Brandy, her grandsons, Austen and Evan, her daughters-in-law, Anita and Carmen, as well as Tracey, Steve, and Jordan and Eric (her ‘adopted’ grandsons), and a sister-in-law, Betty.

Bess was a caring and loving person who overcame many hardships in her life, yet always tried to keep a positive outlook on the future. She just loved life. Bess contributed to many charities during her long life. She was an avid tennis fan, who watched all the Grand Slam events to see her favourite player, Rafael Nadal. As a mother, she always put her family first.

Mom, Grandma, Bess, you will be missed by your family and friends more than you could ever imagine. The memories you leave us with are precious and enduring. You’re now with Thomas, the love of your life.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital and the Piccadilly Square Retirement Residence, as well as Fischer’s Funeral Services.